Image caption
Jock Stein (left) presented Torbett (centre) with an award three years after he allegedly threw him out of the club

In the statement issued on Wednesday, the club said allegations regarding abuse at Celtic Boys Club had first emerged in the 1990s.

It continued: “Although Celtic Football Club is an entirely separate organisation, we have always taken these allegations extremely seriously because of our historic contacts with Celtic Boys Club.

“All investigations by the police and other inquiries were given our full support. We encouraged any individuals involved to report all information to the police so that matters could be investigated fully.

“Celtic Football Club continues to encourage any victim of abuse to report these crimes to the police.”

Image caption
Patrick McGuire has vowed to take Celtic to court if it fails to meet his clients

The club said it had taken steps to develop a new code of conduct and procedures to protect young people and became the first club in Scotland to appoint a safeguarding officer.

But Mr McGuire described Celtic’s claims that the football club and the boys club were separate as “preposterous”.

He added: “What myself and my clients cannot fathom is why Celtic continue to ignore and dismiss the impact of these disgraceful crimes committed under their watch.

“The effect that Torbett’s actions have had on my clients cannot be described.

“I have sat with these men and listened to them recount what happened to them and how it ruined their lives. I can tell you it is absolutely heartbreaking.

“It is all the more shocking when you think that this happened while they were supposed to be under the protection of one of Scotland’s most well known and loved institutions, Celtic Football Club.”

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